Warning Signs of Workplace Violence

Two mass shootings in two days. Friday a gunman opened fire inside an office building in downtown Orlando. And we know the shooting suspect from Fort Hood, army psychiatrist Nidal Malik Hassan, was shot four times and is in a coma. He’s accused of killing 13 people and wounded 38 others. The army says some of the injured may not survive. Fox 23’s Douglas Clark has more now on the warning signs of violence.

A major factor that drives people to violence is stress. And even though we’re talking about workplace violence, the stress can come from home as well as from the job. The shootings Thursday involved an army psychiatrist, who had the difficult task of counseling soldiers returning from combat in Iraq and Afghanistan. And he feared going overseas himself.
Family members say Fort Hood shooter Nidal Malik Hasan devoted much of his life to the military and did not make many friends. That may provide insight into why he turned to violence.

“Normally when you go home and have a bad day, you talk to your friends, you talk to your family, you cope in different ways. But if you’re socially isolated, you actually lose that resource for coping. And without that, things can build up over time,” says University of Tulsa psychology professor Brad Brummel.

While tragedies like this are not always preventable, experts say there are signs to look for in a co-worker, that may suggest they’re about to do something drastic.

“Someone who normally says, ‘I don’t like my boss, my boss is so frustrating,’ then says things like, ‘This is the last straw. Something is going to change.

I’m going to stop the situation.’ Or if they’re posting things on the internet about possible violent reactions,” says Brummel.

So if you spot the signs in a co-worker or friend what do you do? Experts say it’s best to not over-react. Help them find a support system so they can work through their problems.

“Maybe you say, ‘Let’s go talk about this after work,’ instead of ignoring it,” says Brummel.

But if you think the person is capable of violence, you should report it to your supervisor.

It’s important to keep in mind that out of all the people who exhibit the signs, an extremely small percentage of them will actually turn to violence. And many of them also have a psychological disorder that makes it harder for them to cope with stress.

Family members of Nidal Malik Hasan say he had been harassed about being a Muslim following the 9/11 attacks and wanted out of the army.

Are You a Target of Workplace Bullying?

Thank you for the excellent resource and insight. Reading your book has been so helpful to me. What a blessing it is to find there are people who care and are passionate about helping. - reader feedback

Permanent link to this article: http://workplaceviolence.org/warning-signs-of-workplace-violence/

Our Most Popular Resource

Workplace Bullying Ruining Your Life? Enough is enough! Find out what you need to know today in this practical guide! More...

Feature Book

Risk Assessing Bullying: Manage Workplace Bullying… before it happensby Susan L. ParkerBy using a combination of investigative skill, corroboration, and common sense, a protective intelligence investigator can gather the information and evidence to make a thoughtful assessment of the threat an individual may pose to a target.Amazon.com | Amazon.ca

Workplace Bullying InfoGraphic

Beyond the Schoolyard:Workplace Bullyingfrom InternationalBusinessGuide.orgNot only do workplace bullies hurt people, they can also hurt business – driving away good employees in their quest for control. What can you do if you find yourself having to face a bully every day? View InfoGraphic

Feature Article

Workplace Violence: Questions and Answersby By Greg BotelhoWorkplace violence isn't new. The FBI, OSHA and U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics have all studied it extensively, providing statistics and guidelines about who is most at risk and what can be done about it. Here are some of their key findings: Read More...

FBI Active Shooter Study

FBI Active Shooter StudyThe FBI released a study of 160 active shooter incidents that occurred between 2000 and 2013 throughout the U.S. The primary purpose of the study is to provide law enforcement with data that will help them to better prepare for and respond to these incidents. The information contained in this study can also benefit anyone who could potentially be in an active shooter situation by giving them a better understanding of how these incidents play out. FBI Active Shooter Study

U of A Video: Shooter on Campus

U of A Video: Shooter on CampusKnow You Can SurviveInformation from the University of Alberta for students and staff on what you need to know to survive the unthinkable: an active shooter situation. Please be advised that some people may find this video disturbing. Watch on YouTube

Surviving an Active Shooter

RUN. HIDE. FIGHT.Surviving an Active Shooter Event:In the aftermath of the mass shooting event in Aurora, Colorado, the City of Houston Mayor’s Office of Public Safety and Homeland Security announces the release of a video that provides key steps individuals should take if they encounter an active shooter. Watch on YouTube

Workplace Violence Fact Sheet

Workplace Violence Fact Sheet: The National Institute for Prevention of Workplace Violence, Inc. has released its’ Workplace Violence Fact Sheet. The fact sheet is a repository of information, statistics and charts on workplace violence presented to give Human Resources, Threat Management, Security, Risk Management and Operational Managers the most current information on workplace violence. WorkplaceViolence911